Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons^™

Nebraska Department Of Correctional Services Classification And Crowding Project Technical Report, Zachary Hamilton, Alex Kigerl, Baylee Allen-Flores, Addison Kobie, John Ursino, Amber Krushas, Brian Gildea, Ryan E. Spohn

Reports

In response to recent reports and noted issues of prison crowding, NDCS (Nebraska Department of Correctional Services) contracted with NCJR (Nebraska Center for Justice Research) to investigate the impacts of crowding. Going beyond the CSG, CJI, and Master Plan reports (Council of State Governments, 2015; Criminal Justice Institute, 2022; Dewberry, 2023; JFA, 2020), NDCS requested NCJR identify which facilities and populations are impacted greatest via crowding. Further, findings provide areas of recommended changes needed to ease growth and help maintain safety and functionality of NDCS institutions. As part of Phase I, we completed a process evaluation, which included a review …

Victimization Prior To Jail: The Effect Of Physical And/Or Sexual Victimization On Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder In A Population Of Jailed Inmates, Melissa A. Kowalski, Michael Campagna, Emily Wright, Ryan E. Spohn

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Previous research shows a link between abuse histories and negative outcomes, including a relationship between abuse victimization and mental illness and/or substance use disorder and between such victimization and criminal behavior. The relationship between abuse and offending or reoffending is likely indirect, working by way of mental illness and/or substance use disorder. However, the effects of these abuse experiences prior to incarceration as well as the impact of abuse perpetrator type and abuse timing on mental health and substance use outcomes have been underexplored in jail populations. The current analysis addresses this gap. From February 21st, 2017 to September 12th, …

Victimization Prior To Jail: The Effect Of Physical And/Or Sexual Victimization On Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder In A Population Of Jailed Inmates: Research Brief, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha, M. Kowalski, Michael Campagna, Emily Wright, Ryan E. Spohn

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The relationship between abuse and offending is likely indirect, by way of mental illness and/or substance use disorder. However, the effects of abuse experiences prior to incarceration, as well as the impact of abuse perpetrator type and abuse timing on mental health and substance use outcomes, are underexplored in jail populations. The current analysis addresses this gap. In 2017, an assessment with 79 questions was administered to 4,713 individuals admitted to a large, Midwestern jail. The majority of the population (72.3%) reported no history of abuse, but 17.5% indicated a history of physical abuse, 3.2% a history of sexual abuse, …

Evidence-Based Inventory Of Criminal Justice Programs In Nebraska, Katelynn Towne, Christopher Campbell, Monica Miles-Steffens, Brian Gildea, John Ursino, Ryan E. Spohn, Zachary Hamilton, Michael Campagna, Addison Kobie, Taylor L. Claxton, Laura Dueland, Tara Grell

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This report is the product of collaborative efforts from the Nebraska Center for Justice Research, the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the Criminology and Criminal Justice department at Portland State University. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the importance of using evidence-based practices and programs, examine the quantity and needs addressed by adult criminal justice programs, and provide a snapshot of operating evidence-based programs throughout Nebraska. This report provides findings related to the discovery of programs and a review of branded programs operating in Nebraska. Product 1 – Inventory …

Assessing The Construct Validity Of The Mpact-6: Research Brief, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha, Amber Krushas, Zachary Hamilton, X. Mei

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As needs assessments are comprised of subscales that include non-observable, latent constructs, the comprehensive assessment of these items and scales is essential. Specifically, to ensure these tools are measuring offender needs as intended, their construct validity must be confirmed. The current project used a multi-level, multi-group analysis of the MPACT with a large, 10-state sample of youth. Building on previous work (see Mei et al., 2022), authors confirmed the dimensionality and reliability of the six MPACT needs domains. Beyond this, the reliability and validity of the ‘Global Needs Factor’ was also confirmed. Here, the ‘Global Needs Factor’ or ‘G-Factor’ represents …

The University Of Nebraska Does Not Discriminate Based On Race, Color, Ethnicity, National Origin, Sex, Pregnancy, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, Disability, Age, Genetic Information, Veteran Status, Marital Status, And/Or Political Affiliation In Its Education Programs Or Activities, Including Admissions And Employment. The University Prohibits Any Form Of Retaliation Taken Against Anyone For Reporting Discrimination, Harassment, Or Retaliation For Otherwise Engaging In Protected Activity. Understanding Volunteerism In Vocational And Life Skills Programming, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Reports

The purpose of this research is to understand who volunteers for Vocational & Life Skills (VLS) reentry programming in institutional and community correctional settings. We had three primary goals for this research note: 1) describe key differences between participants versus non-participants, 2) describe how VLS participants in facilities differ from participants in community VLS programs, and 3) describe key findings from our statistical models predicting who volunteers to participate in VLS programs. VLS is a statewide reentry program that provides competitive grant funding to multiple community resource organizations and is administered by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). VLS …

Innovations In Supervision Reducing Violence And Recidivism Through Vrp Aftercare And Cbi Open Groups, Jennifer Miller, Ryan E. Spohn, Michael Campagna

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Nebraska Division of Parole Supervision has created a violence-reduction (VRP) aftercare program and a CBI intervention which maintains an open group structure to effectively reduce the recidivism rate of high-risk parole clients, particularly those who have been identified as likely to reoffend violently and those who have previously failed on community supervision. Long-term goals are to ensure 1) the highest risk parole clients receive a higher dosage of evidence-based interventions, 2) the reduced use of parole sanctions and revocations and 3) a reduced overall recidivism rate for parole clients. The ‘open’ nature of the programs (i.e., clients can begin at …

Annual Report 2022, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha, Ryan E. Spohn

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Mission Statement The Nebraska Center for Justice Research’s (NCJR) mission is “to develop and sustain research capacity internal to the State of Nebraska, assist the Legislature in research, evaluation, and policymaking to reduce recidivism, promote the use of evidence-based practices in corrections, and improve public safety.” Our research focus is to use data, research, and evaluation to reduce recidivism, promote the use of evidence-based practices, and improve public safety in Nebraska with an emphasis on reducing prison overcrowding

Technical Assistance Provision For Corrections: Improving The Use Of Actuarial Assessment In Case Management And Reentry, Michael Campagna, Debra O'Connell, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Reports

The current project assisted the Nebraska Department of Correctional Service (NDCS) to develop the use of the Static Risk and Offender Needs Guide-Revised (STRONG-R) in case management and reentry services.

The N-Sat: The Nebraska Screening And Assessment Tool, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

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The N-SAT is intended to standardize assessment of youth referred to diversion in Nebraska. It determines risk level of further involvement (1-year) in the justice system (i.e., delinquency/ criminality). It was not purchased “off the shelf”, rather was developed by the Nebraska Crime Commission (NCC). It is free for Nebraska agencies to use, provides domain scores for referral and treatment purposes, and is more accurate than other tools used in Nebraska.

Annual Report 2021, Nebraska Center For Justice Research

Reports

The Nebraska Center for Justice Research (NCJR) was established in 2014 with a mission to develop and sustain criminal justice research capacity internal to the State of Nebraska. Our goal is to assist the Legislature, justice agencies, practitioners, foundations, and stakeholders with research and evaluation to reduce recidivism, promote the use of evidence-based practices, and improve public safety. This annual report summarizes the activities and financial status of NCJR in its second year.

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: December 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Quarterly Report: Grant Cycle 4 Quarter 2 October-December 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne, Michael Campagna

Reports

This report presents quarterly data and evaluation updates for the Vocational and Life Skills Program (VLS) through Quarter Two of Grant Cycle Four. VLS was created by Nebraska Legislative Bill 907 in 2014 with the purpose of reducing recidivism and increasing meaningful employment for individuals convicted of a crime in Nebraska. The report contains 1) descriptions of the eight funded organizations across the state, 2) a snapshot of participation, 3) demographics of the participants, and 4) participation breakdowns and descriptions of the skills participants are gaining through VLS programming.

The VLS initiative is evaluated by the Nebraska Center for Justice …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: November 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: October 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: September 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Quarterly Report: Grant Cycle 4 Quarter 1 July-September 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne, Michael Campagna

Reports

This report presents quarterly data and evaluation updates for the Vocational and Life Skills Program (VLS) through Quarter One of Grant Cycle Four. VLS was created by Nebraska Legislative Bill 907 in 2014 with the purpose of reducing recidivism and increasing meaningful employment for individuals convicted of a crime in Nebraska. The report contains 1) descriptions of the eight funded organizations across the state, 2) a snapshot of participation, 3) demographics of the participants, and 4) participation breakdowns and descriptions of the skills participants are gaining through VLS programming.

The VLS initiative is evaluated by the Nebraska Center for Justice …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: August 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: July 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Evaluation Annual Report: Grant Cycle 3: Year 2 July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne, Michael Campagna, Ryan E. Spohn, Tara Grell

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The report presents data evaluation updates for the Vocational and Life Skills Program (VLS) for the second year of Grant Cycle Three. VLS was created by the Nebraska Legislative Bill 907 in 2014 to improve the transition for individuals returning to the community after incarceration, increase public safety, and reduce recidivism. VLS includes a balance of providers that address different types of participant needs that develop and manifest in different ways. This report contains 1) a VLS logic model, 2) descriptions of the eight funded programs and a matrix of services provided, 3) a snapshot of participation across the programs, …

Douglas County Youth Impact! Cost/Benefit Analysis Revised Edition: 2019 Dollars, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha, Ryan E. Spohn

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The Nebraska Center for Justice Research at the University of Nebraska-Omaha conducted an evaluation of Youth Impact! which was completed in 2014. Youth Impact! is the Douglas County implementation of the Crossover Youth Practice Model, as developed by Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform. This project consisted primarily of: 1) a process evaluation, 2) an outcome evaluation, 3) a systems-impact analysis, and 4) a cost-benefit analysis. This evaluation suggested that the reduction in information silos across the juvenile justice and child welfare systems led to better decision-making because of interagency collaboration and information sharing, although agency professionals still faced …

Vocational And Life Skills Grant Cycle Three: July 2018-June 2020 Programs Funded, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research

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Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Bristol Station Mental Health Association (MHA) Metropolitan Community College (MCC) Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) ReConnect, INC. TRADE York College

Vocational And Life Skills Quarterly Report: Grant Cycle 3, Quarter 8 April-June 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne, Michael Campagna

Reports

This report presents quarterly data and evaluation updates for the Vocational and Life Skills Program (VLS) through Quarter Eight of Grant Cycle Three. VLS was created by Nebraska Legislative Bill 907 in 2014 with the purpose of reducing recidivism and increasing meaningful employment for individuals convicted of a crime in Nebraska. The report contains 1) descriptions of the eight funded organizations across the state, 2) a snapshot of participation, 3) demographics of the participants, and 4) participation breakdowns and descriptions of the skills participants are gaining through VLS programming.

The VLS initiative is evaluated by the Nebraska Center for Justice …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: April 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: March 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Vocational And Life Skills Quarterly Report: Grant Cycle 3 Quarter 7 January-March 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne, Michael Campagna

Reports

This report presents quarterly data and evaluation updates for the Vocational and Life Skills Program (VLS) through Quarter Seven of Grant Cycle Three. VLS was created by Nebraska Legislative Bill 907 in 2014 with the purpose of reducing recidivism and increasing meaningful employment for individuals convicted of a crime in Nebraska. The report contains 1) descriptions of the eight funded organizations across the state, 2) a snapshot of participation, 3) demographics of the participants, and 4) participation breakdowns and descriptions of the skills participants are gaining through VLS programming. VLS plans to reevaluate service provider inclusions at the conclusion of …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: February 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …

Annual Report 2020, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha, Ryan E. Spohn

Reports

T  he Nebraska Center for Justice Research (NCJR) was established in 2014 with a mission to develop and sustain criminal justice research capacity internal to the State of Nebraska. Our goal is to assist the Legislature, justice agencies, practitioners, foundations, and stakeholders with research and evaluation to reduce recidivism, promote the use of evidence-based practices, and improve public safety. This annual report summarizes the activities and financial status of NCJR in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. In this past year, NCJR once again crafted our Adult Justice in Nebraska report to provide a foundation of data trends in areas such as …

Racial And Ethnic Disparities In The Criminal Justice System In Nebraska, Nebraska Center For Justice Research, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Reports

RED refers to racial and ethnic differences in contacts and experiences with the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Measuring the extent to which RED exist in the justice system is a first step toward identifying the ways to improve upon how well the system upholds the principle of equal treatment under the law. Prior research shows that RED are prevalent across multiple points of contact with the juvenile justice system in Nebraska. There is also a large body of evidence demonstrating RED in the adult criminal justice system nationwide. The purpose of this brief is to describe what the data …

Vocational And Life Skills Monthly Data Update: January 2020, Uno Nebraska Center For Justice Research, Katelynn Towne

Reports

Grantees use an online data management system to submit data on participants served under their Vocational and Life Skills programming. This data is due monthly and reflects all services provided during the previous month to participants. Evaluators at the Nebraska Center for Justice Research work with grantees directly to manage data entry errors on an ongoing basis during update calls and site visits.

The current data derives from an active database, from which data is being entered and updated daily. Data values, including previously submitted information, may fluctuate depending on the duration of lag between service delivery and data entry. …